The Chicago Star

Packing Workers Dawn Patrol Backs Wage Fight

From Page 1

A "dawn patrol" of representatives from 20 locals of United Packinghouse Workers of America, District 1, surrounded Union Stockyards at daybreak Friday to sign up remaining yard workers not already protected by the 25,000-membered union.

Unperturbed by a driving rain, a token "picket line" backed up the union's negotiating committee, now in contract conferences with the packers, with signs bearing slogans of the union's major demands: "100% CIO for $1 an hour minimum wage," "For a Cost of Living Bonus," "Guaranteed Annual Wage," and "Keep Wages up with Living Costs."

The union flatly accuses the meat trust of deliberately taking away its 18 cent per hour wage increase with OPA-sabotage and price raises. From June 15-July 15 alone, meat prices soared 35.5 per cent, thereby pushing the cost of food in the Chicago area up 17.9 per cent.

This development makes the packinghouse workers' salary even less adequate than before the 16 cent raise.

The packers' counter-proposals thus far indicate not only an attempt to block further wage increases (present scale: 78 cents per hour for women and 88 cents for men) but also a move to infringe on seniority, union security and other gains made by UPWA.

Herbert March, UPWA district director, stated that the union hopes to avoid the necessity of strike action.

"Whether or not we have to strike will depend upon the meat packers," March declared. "If we have to strike to protect our union's existence and the well-being of our members, we will be prepared."